Course Descriptions

Official descriptions of courses are located in the Academic Calendar. While every effort is made to ensure that the list below is current, in the event of disagreement between descriptions below and those in the calendar, those in the calendar are authoritative.

The following courses are offered in the Bachelor of Business Administration program:

Introduction and General Business Education

BUSI 1003 Math for Business

This course provides a brief review of pre-calculus math, logarithmic and exponential functions, limits, introduction to derivatives, linear systems, matrices, systems of linear inequalities, difference equations, arithmetic and geometric sequences, annuities and installment buying. Applications to Business and Economics will be emphasized throughout the course.

BUSI 1013 Statistics for Business

An introduction to applied statistics and data analysis concepts and methods, exploring how quantitative and qualitative tools can lead to effective managerial decisions-making. Students study the collection and exploration data, basic inference, simple and multiple linear regressions, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods, probability and statistical computing. Students apply these basic statistical concepts and tools to strategic and functional analysis and decision-making within a business context.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): BUSI 1003 Math for Business

BUSI 1023 Introduction to Economics for Managers

This course focuses on the following topics: basic theory of consumer behavior; production and costs, analysis of pricing in competitive markets, and general business equilibrium and welfare. Students will also explore to the theory of the firm: competition and monopoly.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 1033 Introduction to Business

This course explores the interrelatedness of the various functions of business operations, and sets the context for understanding the broader environment in which businesses and organizations function. Attention will be given to key functional areas of business include resource bases, organizational structures, corporate culture, financial systems, and management theories prevalent in today’s business environment. Interactive business simulation software will be used as a complement to course readings to expose students to core business functional areas and begin developing their business decision making skills.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 1043 Introduction to Financial Accounting

In this course, students will learn that Financial Accounting is a language designed to capture, summarize, and communicate the economic facts about an organization in a set of financial statements. The course will focus on the principles of accounting and reporting and will emphasize what information is provided in financial statements.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): BUSI 1003 Math for Business

BUSI 2063 Introduction to Marketing

An introduction to the basic concepts and principles of the marketing function. The course follows the evolution of the Marketing discipline through to the current era of the Social Marketing Concept. Tools necessary for effective Marketing practice and environmental and contextual influences are examined. Students learn the basic elements of the Marketing Mix as well as segmentation and positioning tools. The course expands students’ understanding of Canadian and international marketing structures and techniques including deﬁning and segmenting target markets, using planning and forecasting techniques, analyzing costs and beneﬁts of marketing mixes, interpreting market research data, consumers and consumerism, industrial market potentials.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 1073 Business Writing and Communications

Students learn how to leverage the online learning environment to be effective communicators across a number of mediums. Students emerge from this course with a solid understanding of how to effectively use the Yorkville University campus and environment to achieve success in their studies, and also develop their knowledge and application of the writing process, academic referencing using APA style format, effective communications styles particularly, persuasive business writing techniques and cross cultural communications.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

Core Business Courses

BUSI 1063 Business and Sustainability

This course will explore the impact of business activity on ecosystems, and examine methods of approaching business activity from a sustainability perspective. Students will look at how ecosystem-based management (EBM) informs business decisions in today’s context, and will investigate the implications of EBM across various business actions and activities.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2003 Macroeconomics in Global Context

This course provides an overview of several macroeconomic issues including: the determination of output, employment, unemployment, interest rates, and inflation. It introduces basic models of macroeconomics and illustrates principles with the experience of the North American and other economies.

BUSI 2013 Business Decisions Analysis

This course prepares students to make applied and informed business decisions through the use of modeling, analytical and problem solving techniques. Specifically, students will develop an understanding of the concepts of certainty, uncertainty, probability and risk analysis, as well as basic probability concepts, random variables, descriptive measures, and properties of distribution, statistical decision theory and Bayesian approaches. Based on this foundation, the course will then delve into discrete and continuous probability models and their applications to solving business problems.

BUSI 2023 Business Law

Students gain a basic understanding of fundamental structural legal frameworks under which firms must operate. The course begins with the basic building blocks of business law, followed by a review of legal business structures including sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, for profit, not-for-profit, and public firms. The second phase of the course examines a broad range of legal issues that could impact business operations, including intellectual property, contracts, product development, mergers and acquisitions, international trade, business disputes, bankruptcy and reorganization.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2033 Organizational Behaviour and Management

This course explores the interaction among individuals and organizations, and how this interaction can impact others within the organization or the organization itself. Even in today’s technologically driven world, the effectiveness of organizations is still rooted in their ability to leverage the full potential of the people involved within their operations. Students are introduced to various topics including value systems, motivation, teams, effective communication, power and conflict, organizational culture and structure, leadership, ethics and organizational change. They emerge from the course with a better understanding of the role of people within organizations, and how their own personal strengths can contribute positively to the organizations to which they belong.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2043 International Business Environment

In this course, students will be introduced to the field of international business, focusing on how business decisions are influenced by culture, economics, and marketing. Using case study, this course emphasizes the opportunities and problems associated with doing business in an international environment. Note: though the principles will be constant, the international geography may vary according to the interest of the faculty and students.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2053 Business Ethics

In this course, students will learn how the ethical dimension of business is a critical success factor for businesses. The objective of this course is to develop moral sensibility and an awareness of social responsibility in the context of business management. Students will explore such topics as the relationship between business and society, the link between corporate strategy and social responsibility, the importance of corporate reputation, ethical decision-making, and the impact that business has on the environment.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2073 Management of Technology and Innovation

This course introduces students to fundamentals of information technology and information systems, and exposes them to the managerial implications of effective technology management. Topics covered include making information IT investment decisions, managing risks in IT systems adoption and implementation, integrating new technologies with existing systems, and maximizing the usage of data from IT systems to create corporate value.

(3 credits)(Required) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 2083 Managerial Accounting

This course focuses on how managers use accounting information to make decisions. The course also covers product costing, budgetary control systems, and performance evaluation systems. In addition, students will be introduced to the concept of flexible budgets and break-even analysis.

BUSI 2093 Introduction to Managerial Finance

This course introduces major concepts in finance and investments, such as the time value of money, discounted cash flows, and risk and return. Students also examine how firms decide to finance projects they assess as being worthwhile, and how to make investment decisions.

BUSI 2103 Human Resource Management and Development

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of personnel management and the significant issues that are part of the management of human resources in organizations. Students who complete this course will be able to design and implement an effective human resource management strategy. In addition, students are expected to identify specific HR management skills that they need to develop and begin the process of developing these skills.

BUSI 2113 Production/Operations Management

In this course, students are presented with a comprehensive overview of the major elements of operations management, including but not limited to: materials requirements planning, supply chain and logistics management, purchasing, manufacturing and production, inventory and downstream distribution, service quality, and customer relationship management. The course will also explore popular control processes such as Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and Total Quality Management (TQM) and review popular e-business software applications.

BUSI 2123 Business Strategy

This course introduces students to a strategic perspective on issues that concern contemporary businesses. The course draws on and explores concepts from a number of undergraduate business courses (marketing, finance, accounting, management and organizational behaviour). Students are encouraged to use material from other courses in the analysis and resolution of complex business situations.

BUSI 2133 Organization Theory and Design

The emphasis in this course is on developing approaches in different types of organizations (e.g. not-for-profit) to deal effectively with the specific issues they may face. The course will explore principles and practices of management and administration as they are adapted to board-management-staff relations, board governance, recruiting and motivating, human resource management, accountability, organizing for and managing growth and change, analysis of an organization’s market and organizational strategic planning.

BUSI 2143 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

This course focuses on the practical aspects of establishing and developing a business. Using case study, the course is designed to help the student analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a newly formed business. Topics include: opportunity recognition, feasibility study, risk, venture capital sources, business economics, marketing requirements, negotiations and resource needs. Case studies will be used.

BUSI 2163 Marketing Strategy

A course to develop the skills and approach required to formulate and effectively implement marketing strategies. The course reviews the theory and practice of identifying market opportunities, evaluating firm positioning, selecting and evaluating potential markets and making effective marketing mix decisions through analysis of market research data. All elements of strategic decision making are examined, including market segmentation, market target choice, product and/or service offering(s), pricing, promotion and distribution choices that support positioning decisions as well as after sales service, support and evaluation. Students develop hands on knowledge of the impact of strategic marketing decisions on a firm’s market position, bottom line and investment attractiveness through interaction with hands on business simulation software.

Business Electives

BUSI 3033 Introduction to Supply Chain Management

This course provides a basic grounding in the components of the supply chain from purchasing through sales and distribution in a context of using information technology (IT) to achieve strategic and organizational objectives. Contribution to the profitable operation and competitiveness of the firm is stressed as the main objective of the purchasing and supply chain management function. Topics include how to improve speed to market, enabling online purchasing/supply chain functions, production, distribution and logistics systems, inventory management, enterprise system evaluation and supplier selection, financial considerations, outsourcing and partnership options, competitive bidding and negotiation, contracts, client service and satisfaction issues, etc.

BUSI 3313 SCM Systems and Analytics

This course examines the role of information and information technology, especially the Internet, in helping coordinate and manage supply chains. Key topics include the use of information and information technology to support pull versus push supply chain operations, control supply chain instability, relationship management with customers and suppliers, and the role of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

BUSI 3323 Logistics and Facilities Management

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of physical distribution management, or the flow of goods and information. Specifically the course will focus on the design of logistics networks and the management of transportation infrastructures. Key topics include design options for a distribution network, facility location and capacity allocation, choice of transportation mode and carrier (based on trade-off analysis), vehicle routing and scheduling, warehousing, materials handling and inventory management.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): None.

BUSI 3333 Procurement and Supply Management

This course developed the students’ understanding of the strategic and operational roles that purchasing plays in contributing to an organization’s competitive position and profit. Students explore the evolution of traditional purchasing to the collaborative supplier-customer relationship found in contemporary and leading-edge supply chain management. All aspects of developing and maintaining an effective procure-to-pay process, including purchasing strategies, outsourcing, price determination and contract management, supplier relationship management (SRM), and legal aspects are covered in this course.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): None.

BUSI 3343 SCM Capstone Project

This course will provide students with an experiential opportunity to reinforce, synthesize, and build on the supply chain management knowledge and skills they developed in previous courses. Acting as consultants, students will work in teams to develop an executable supply chain strategy and implementation plan for a company who is seeking to enter a new foreign market. Students will be required to apply knowledge from all four SCM courses in their development of the project.

BUSI 3403 Intermediate Accounting 1 – Assets

This course builds on the integrated framework for analyzing, interpreting and preparing financial statements introduced in previous accounting courses. Emphasis is placed on accounting policy choices and the criteria by which such choices are made, as well as on analyzing financial statements that are prepared using different accounting policies. Students will examine, in‐depth, the effects of accounting concepts on income determination and on asset, liability and shareholders’ equity valuation.

BUSI 3413 Intermediate Managerial Accounting

This course focuses on how managers use accounting information to make effective business decisions. Students will study different types of reports, financial statements and analytical tools, which may be used by managers to effectively plan, coordinate, evaluate and monitor qualitative and quantitative metrics within an organization. In this intermediate managerial accounting course, students will focus on costing and cost analysis.

This course continues to build on the integrated framework for analyzing, interpreting, and preparing financial statements learned through BUSI1043 - Introduction to Financial Accounting and BUSI3403 - Intermediate Accounting I: Assets. The objectives within this course are to identify, interpret and analyze complex measurement issues and accounting policy choices applicable to a given situation. Students will subsequently evaluate the effects of financial reporting issues and policies on the preparation of the Statement of Financial Position, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): BUSI 3403

BUSI 3433 Corporate Finance

This course will build on concepts from the introductory managerial finance course and explore in depth the areas of corporate finance, risk, diversification, portfolio analysis, and capital market theory. Specifically, the course places emphasis on developing the students’ ability to understand, analyze, and integrate financial information towards sound financial decisions. Topics discussed will include the impact of interest rates, taxation, dividends, cash flow, and other business considerations on financial decision making and the role of financial institutions and regulations in corporate financial management.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): BUSI 3413, BUSI 3423

BUSI 3443 Accounting Capstone Project-Auditing

This course explains the significance of the auditing environment, public practice and professional responsibilities as well as basic audit concepts and techniques. The increasing complexity and speed of change in the business world has caused more estimation and uncertainty than ever before. In turn, this has caused higher difficulty for auditors to assess corporate risk, gather sufficient appropriate evidence and form a fair audit opinion on the financial statements. The requirements of this course combine the financial and managerial accounting knowledge learned to date and apply it to the world of auditing. Students will be required to leverage prior knowledge to be successful in this course.

BUSI 3503 Energy Policy and Regulations

This course will examine Canadian federal and provincial government policy and regulation affecting the energy industry and energy consumers. The significant impact that climate change has on policy development will be studied through an examination of various Government Acts such as the Green Energy Act, Ontario Energy Board Act, the Electricity Act, the Energy Efficiency Act and the Building Code. Specific applications related to energy auditing will be emphasized. Current federal and provincial incentive programs will be examined and strategies to keep current with these programs will be explored.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 3513 Energy Risk Management

This course will provide students with an understanding of oil, natural gas and electricity markets and the participants in these industries. Specific focus will be placed on how supply and demand factors influence energy prices and how energy derivatives are priced. Competencies will be developed on anticipating issues associated with energy market deregulation. Through assigned readings and group discussions, students will be expected to understand how to use energy derivative instruments to mitigate risk.

BUSI 3523 Energy Supply Chain Management

This course focuses on the decision-making role of the operations manager in transforming organizational inputs into desired outputs. The major issues and problems of designing, scheduling, operating and controlling the production system are examined. In order to compete and better position themselves in the global economy, energy organizations are finding that a managed supply chain is the key to success, leading to increased customer satisfaction, improved performance, lower costs and better product development. Students will learn to discuss the drivers of price changes, how the Canadian energy sector fits into the larger global context when seeking secure sources for construction materials, assets and equipment, and what extent stockpiling or overestimating requirements impact the bottom line. Students will identify how energy supply chain management relates to customer satisfaction, improved performance, lowering costs and product development. In addition, students will be exposed to the following terms: procurement, upstream and downstream, raw materials, and forecasting.

BUSI 3533 International Energy Development and Policy

This course will provide students with the tools to understand the complexities of international energy markets, and the impact of global government policy on energy development. The course will focus on international energy development, energy contracts, sustainable development, and the management of environmental and corporate social responsibility issues.

BUSI 3543 Energy Management Capstone Project

This course will provide students with an experiential opportunity to reinforce, synthesize, and build on the energy management knowledge and skills they developed in previous courses. Students will work in teams to develop an impact assessment of a proposed new energy project within a Canadian jurisdiction. Students will be required to apply knowledge from all four SCM courses in their development of the project.

BUSI 3603 Introduction to Project Management

Whether you work for a corporation or a government agency, every project is an investment. This course will introduce students to project management fundamentals and terminology, and prepare them to compare project investment opportunities using financial and non-financial methods. They will clarify the necessity of linking projects to the strategic plan, and learn to initiate the selected projects. Students will also compare various project life cycles to Agile project management and be introduced to (or become better- acquainted with) the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®). Current and future project managers will gain insight into the sociocultural and technical dimensions of project management, and will contrast the project management and business analyst roles.

(3 credits)(Online)(Elective) Prerequisite(s): None

BUSI 3613 Project Teams and Leadership

The development of project teams is an essential part of project leadership and management that relate to PMBOK®’s Human Resource Management and Communication Management knowledge areas. Whether you work on a task force, committee, development team or other type of project team, this course will point the way to becoming a harmonious team member, and adaptable team leader. By using stories from an assortment of projects, the course also provides multiple “real world” examples of inspired project leadership, timely project communications, and ongoing team selection, development and management. Practices for improving project leadership are derived from all of these stories.

BUSI 3623 Project Planning Essentials

This course will guide students through a rigorous examination of all planning processes and process interactions during the project life cycle. They will determine the elements of the project management plan that are essential, while avoiding “analysis paralysis”. Students will collaborate with others to appraise the content and format of project management plans for small, medium and large projects. They will clarify the scope, schedule, cost and resources necessary for a sample project. Students will also create plans for the management of risk, quality, human resources, communications, and procurement for one or more sample projects.

BUSI 3633 Project Execution, Monitoring, Control, and Closing

This course provides students with the practices and processes for launching, monitoring, controlling and closing projects. Special emphasis is given to the eleven processes included in the monitoring and controlling process groups. The course provides students with the processes and techniques used to harness change, and control ‘scope creep’, time delays and cost overruns. The course builds students’ understanding of, and appreciation for, the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) as a better alternative to the inadequate measures of “on time” or “on budget”. The course concludes with an automated simulation that tests students’ ability to make decisions which improve the probability of project success.

BUSI 3643 Advanced Project Management

This course will provide students with an experiential opportunity to reinforce, synthesize, and build on the project management knowledge and skills they developed in previous courses. You will work in teams to develop a project management plan, and prepare for project execution, monitoring, control, and closedown. You will also explore international cultures and their impact on project leadership, communication and team dynamics. In addition, students will compare software tools that streamline project planning and monitoring, and will examine potential career paths and professional development in project management.

Integrative Project-based Courses

BUSI 4003 Business Case Analysis

This course presents frameworks for analysing and writing business cases. Students will learn how to respond to business cases using a framework that includes identification of key issues, exploration of research options, and development of supported solutions and recommendations. Students will also emerge from this course with the tools necessary to author teaching cases and solutions manuals. The skills learned in this course will support the case analysis focus of other courses across the BBA program.

BUSI 4013 Business Organization Analysis Project

Emphasis on developing analytic skills and giving practical experience in research and theorizing about organizations through the integration of core business courses studied in the BBA program. Objectives include: understanding various aspects of organization and a variety of theoretical frameworks contributed by business administration academic disciplines; analyzing organizational vision, mission, values and strategy, and their role in articulating the direction of a business; describing a business concept, organizational structure, external stakeholders and inter-organizational relations; understanding the role played by technology; and describing the impact of culture.

Prerequisite (s): all Core Business courses required by BBA program.

BUSI 4033 Business Improvement Project

This project-based course focuses on the selection, treatment and solution of a complex problem in an organization, through the development and preparation of a formal, analytical report. Working in small groups, students will learn how to identify a problem and possible solutions. Then select the best solution and create a work plan. Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills as they evaluate findings and formulate conclusions and recommendations

BUSI 4046 Final Business Plan

Sound decision-making in the context of organizing a new business requires the discipline of thinking through an entire planning process. This project-based course is designed to assist individual students in developing concise and well-structured business plans. Students are encouraged to develop a business vision and create an effective business strategy for making this vision a reality, and are required to develop a complete business plan, based on a business opportunity selected by the student. The business opportunity may involve third parties whose cooperation and participation is essential to the success of the proposed enterprise.

(6 credits) Prerequisite(s): BUSI 4033 Business Improvement Project.

Preparatory Study

BUSI 0913 Developmental Math

The non-credit Pre-Math course is designed to bridge requisite math skills of students to those required to successfully complete the quantitative courses in the BBA program. The course will introduce students to core mathematical concepts including basic numeracy, algebra, factorials, pre-calculus, Venn diagrams and statistics. This course will be required in the first semester for all BBA students, but will have an option for students to request an exemption through either the successful completion a challenge examination or demonstration of proof of having successfully completed a senior secondary math course within the past 10 years. The 3-credits of the course do not contribute to the required 120 credits require to complete the BBA degree.

(3 credits) Prerequisite(s): None

General Studies

ENGL101 Research & Composition

This course builds on the conventions and techniques of composition through critical reading and writing related to the student’s program of study. Students apply principles of logic, strategic thinking, and synthesis to prepare sound arguments supported by relevant, well documented research. The culminating activity is a persuasive and analytical paper referencing contemporary issues in technology where individual style and unique thinking are demonstrated.

(3 credits)(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): None

REMB120 Research Methods for Business

This course introduces the techniques that researchers in the arts, humanities, and social sciences use to answer empirical questions that are useful for business. It is designed to not only make students better at research, but also intelligent consumers of other’s research. Topics include assessing existing research, collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative information, and methods to communicate research. Attention is paid to formulating research in a way to seek objective and truthful outcomes by a variety of methods and research tools. Students will also learn to identify ethical, ideological, empirical, and theoretical aspects of research, and distinguish good research from bad.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): None

GE170 Art History – Ancient

This course introduces students to the art and architecture of ancient societies from around the world, spanning pre-history to the fall of the Roman Empire. Using a broad, interdisciplinary approach, various art works are examined as emanations of a universal human condition and as unique expressions of culturally-specific worldviews. After exploring various definitions of ‘art’ and an overview of the earliest emergence of art and artistic traits in human history, focus then turns toward the complexities of the ancient mind and ancient civilizations. Through the art and architecture of each historical period, students learn the symbolic ‘language’ through which ancient societies transmitted their most profound ideas. Greater fluency in this ancient symbolic language allows students to understand the differences between sacred, traditional theological and profane art and the concepts that define their original purposes.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): None

GE171 Art History – Modern

This course introduces students to the art and architecture of ancient societies from around the world, spanning pre-history to the fall of the Roman Empire. Using a broad, interdisciplinary approach, various art works are examined as emanations of a universal human condition and as unique expressions of culturally-specific worldviews. After exploring various definitions of ‘art’ and an overview of the earliest emergence of art and artistic traits in human history, focus then turns toward the complexities of the ancient mind and ancient civilizations. Through the art and architecture of each historical period, students learn the symbolic ‘language’ through which ancient societies transmitted their most profound ideas. Greater fluency in this ancient symbolic language allows students to understand the differences between sacred, traditional theological and profane art and the concepts that define their original purposes.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): None

CRIN210 Creativity and Innovation

This course examines concepts and techniques widely applicable to personal life and business: individual creativity and innovation in organizations. It offers alternatives to standard models of decision making and formal critical thinking by describing imaginative ways of approaching problems. Students learn techniques of problem identification, idea generation, idea selection, and idea implementation. The course teaches problem-solving practices and varied strategies that release individual creativity and encourage innovation within organizational structures. Emphasis is placed on how creative and innovative solutions can be found to problems that are inadequately addressed by Cartesian thinking processes and the debunking of common myths held about creative individuals and organizations. Students are instructed in a variety of concepts and practical methods that they can apply to their studies, work, and personal lives.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): None

GEOG210 Human Geography

Human geography examines how people, communities, and cultures interact within physical geographic space. It looks at how the spatial environment affects key categories of human activities. The course includes an overview of the location, flow, and uses of the earth's principle resources, both natural and human. It emphasizes how the physical characteristics of the earth's surface affect political, social, cultural, demographic, and economic dynamics throughout the world, and explores the potential effects of ecological threats.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

ECON211 Microeconomics

This course teaches the theory and concepts of microeconomics within the context of market decisions. It examines the concepts of supply and demand; pricing and elasticity; consumer behaviour and its impact on economic decisions; market structures that form the basis for various levels of competition; different types of markets, including labour and factor markets; and the role of government as it relates to microeconomic policy. It synthesizes theoretical concepts and examples of everyday events.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

ENGL230 Professional Writing

This course extends composition and research principles to writing in a career context. Students apply principles of economy and clarity to create business documents that are informative and persuasive. While the course focuses on all business correspondence, the capstone of this course is a formal research proposal or investigative report. Studies include electronic communication and oral reporting.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 1) Prerequisite(s): ENGL101

ENGL250 The Workplace in Fiction

This course explores the workplace through its expression in the imaginative fiction of literature, film, and essays. Students will study poems, plays, short stories, films, and essays with themes or storylines that emanate from the workplace. Students will read, view, interpret, and analyze fiction relating to the workplace in order to understand the connections between occupation and personal identity and the connections between social and personal significance. Students will note and discuss trends in society that are illustrated by business and workplace attitudes and portrayed in creative fiction.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

PHIL300 Philosophical Thought and Leisure

This course uses philosophy and philosophical thinking and applies it to an examination of leisure. Students will learn to adopt a philosophical approach, examining and reflecting upon the role of leisure today in what makes the good life. The relationship between philosophy, the good life, and leisure act as a framework for examining key philosophical issues, such as ethics, education, religion, aesthetics and art, health, politics, and consumerism.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

SOCI300 Sociology and Culture

This course explores some of the major issues affecting society and culture. Intended for students at the middle level of the program, the goal is to provide a foundation of knowledge that serves as a base for critical exploration of the broader discipline of sociology. The topics explored include: research, culture, socialization, social structure and class, stratification, institutions, and urbanization as they affect Canadian society.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

POL310 Democratic Government

This course examines the institutions and processes found in democratic government, with an emphasis on Canada. It studies the nature of politics and the expression of political interests and beliefs through mechanisms of citizen, various civil society groups, and political party actions. It looks at the institutional expressions of constitutions, legislatures, the judiciary, and public policy making by administration, measuring these against the ideals and spirit of democratic thought.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

PSYC325 Psychology

This course provides a foundation for the understanding, prediction and direction of behaviour. Organized within a framework encompassing foundations, general topics, and applications, the course provides an understanding of how psychological principles and concepts relate to professional and personal life. Using psychology to specifically improve the quality of our lives, students examine the various schools of psychology in their application to research methods, learning, memory, sensation and perception, personality, human development, stress, and psychological disorders. In a collaborative and dynamic learning environment, students complete cases studies, conduct basic research, and evaluate findings.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 2) Prerequisite(s): One Tier 1 course

HUMN422 Topics in Technology and Society

In this interdisciplinary, integrative course, the relationship between technology and society is investigated through readings, reflection, assignments, class discussion, and a formal research essay. The course identifies conditions that have promoted technological development and assesses its social, political, environmental, psychological, and economic effects. Issues of power and control and consideration of the effects of technologies on the human condition are primary themes. Written discussions, assignments, and the writing of a formal research essay draw together students’ prior learning in other general education courses.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 3) Prerequisite(s): Two Tier 2 courses

GES450 Design & Society

Design thinking is a creative problem solving method used in a wide variety of disciplines. This course gives students a broad conceptual understanding of the theories and philosophies that form the foundation of the design thinking process, building towards a practical application of the methods.

(3 credits)(online)(Tier 3) Prerequisite(s): Two Tier 2 courses

HUMN430 Topics in Power and Society

In this interdisciplinary, integrative course, power, its meaning and its exercise between human beings and groups is investigated through readings, reflection, assignments, class discussion, and a formal research essay. The course describes a variety of taxonomies by which power can defined and understood. Students look to the socially-based sources of power as well as the reasons individuals and groups acquiesce to power. Power is shown as a defining characteristic in all human activities by drawing on a wide array of social science and humanities scholarly material.